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Have you ever been to Santorini?

Friday, July 30, 2010

Akrotiri’s settlement is in the southwestern and most distant edge of the island, 15km away from Fira. Akrotiri became particularly famous as the ancient city that was discovered buried under the volcano’s ashes. Unfortunately, the excavation is not open to the public but you will have the opportunity to take a small taste if you visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira. From those settlements that have a view of the Caldera, it is the most recently developed and the less spoilt by tourist interventions.

During the last few years many hotels and lodgings have been built to serve the needs of tourists whose number is constantly growing, as they seek for tranquility in the still virgin side of the Caldera. From Akrotiri you can go on foot to the Red Beach or take the boat to the White Beach. Mesa Pigadia, Kampia and from the Cladera’s side, Apothikes and Gialos, are other beaches for swimming. There is also a Venetian castle in Akrotiri that was shattered by the big earthquake and it is worth paying a visit. There may not be enough shops and a wild nightlife, but you will definitely find good food. You will find tavernas in Akrotiri’s port, in the center of the village and on the road towards Faros (lighthouse), which you should for sure visit. From there you will be able to observe the figure of an Indian, up in Mavro Vouno, that looks so natural as if it had been carved by a talented sculptor. According to the testimonies of local residents, this figure had been discovered by the well known archaeologist Spiros Marinatos, as none had noticed it until then. Either in the morning or in the afternoon the view of the endless blue and the rest of the island, from the lighthouse, is magnificent and the sunset is like a dream. In the area you will also find the churches of Agia Theodosia situated in the castle’s entrance, of Agios Epifanios, of Agia Triada and of Ypapanti.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

After Messaria you will find Vothonas. It is worth visiting this village in order to admire the distinctive folk architecture. Many buildings are built into the volcanic earth of a large gorge. These buildings apart from being cheap to construct, they also offered shelter from the winds and the pirates. Park your car for a while and cross over the river and the traditional little road on the river bed, in order to discover the church of Panagia Trypa which is situated high up on the rock. For locals this is a very important church; that is why they organize a big festival on February 2nd.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Monolithos is located behind the airport of Santorini, 9km away from Fira. It is a quite peaceful settlement with many hotels and lodgings. It has a well organized long beach with smooth black sand and particularly shallow waters, a lifeguard and a playground. The waters deepen gradually, but if you wish to swim without touching the sea bottom, you will have to swim a lot. The beach usually is very crowded since it’s the nearest beach to Fira connected with the local bus transportation network. Don’t worry, however. There is plenty of room for everyone. If you prefer team sports such as volleyball, soccer and basketball, you are in the right place as there are especially tailored areas on the sand.

The lower road of Fira that goes southwards, will lead you to Karterados, after 2km. The settlement is built near a stream. In the central square you will find a traditional old mill and a war memorial in honor of the people that died during the 2nd World War. Park your car there and get ready for a short tour of the traditional village starting from the “steps of Galaios”, as the locals call them, which are on your left as the road bends. You will be surprised by what there is to see… Traditional old buildings mined inside the volcanic rock, captain houses and picturesque cobbled streets that you can hardly make out from the main road as they have been constructed along the steambed. There aren’t many sights to see, but it’s worth visiting the church of Assumption and being at its festival that takes place forty days after Easter. If you are on the island on August 15th, join the festival of the church Panagia Kokkini (Saint Mary of the Red) which was given this name as it was built with red wine instead of water. The area offers bakeries, coffee shops, patisseries, taverns, hotels and rooms for rent, supermarkets and shops.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The village of Vourvoulos is located approximately 4km away from Fira on the road towards the island’s northern beaches. The village is built amphitheatrically with a view of the plain in the north-eastern side of the island, as well as to the beaches of Koloumbo and Pori. In Kato Vourvoulos you will find the central square with the imposing church of Agios Efstratios that celebrates its feast day on December 13th. At the same place, you will also see a monument in honor of the people that died during the German occupation. It is also worth visiting the beautiful church of Agios Panteleimonas.

Santorini’s two lauded wines are its crisp, clear dry whites, and the amber-coloured, unfortified dessert wine vinsanto, both produced from the ancient indigenous cultivar assyrtiko. Most vineyards hold tastings and tours, and there are also two fascinating wine museums.

Antoniou winery was designed early this century by a winemaker with his eye on the export market. Built into the cliffs directly above Athinios port, the canava (wine cellar) is a masterpiece of free-form ingenuity: wine was once piped down to waiting boats. Wine is no longer made at this site, but it’s a fascinating place to visit.

The winegrowers’ cooperative, Santo Wines in Megalochori has a showcase selection of regional produce taken from all over Greece.

The atmospheric Volcan Wine Museum, housed in a traditional canava on the way to Kamari, has some interesting displays, including a 17th-century wooden wine press. Admission to the museum includes three tastings.